KINGSLEY EBERE
A 41-year-old businesswoman, Ojochide Christiana Adoga, was on Monday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court over allegations of fraud and stealing amounting to N3,960,000.
According to court documents, Adoga and others said to be “now at large” are facing three counts before the Ikeja Magisterial District.
In Count I, the defendants were alleged to have conspired among themselves in June 2026 to commit a felony, to wit stealing and obtaining by false pretence. The prosecution said the alleged act is contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
Count II of the charge alleges that Adoga and others fraudulently obtained the sum of Three Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira only, N3,960,000.00, from one Ifeanyi Odilu Blessing.
The money was allegedly collected on the pretence of procuring 115 bags of chin-chin for the complainant. The prosecution stated that the representation was knowingly false.
The alleged offence in Count II is said to have occurred on the same date, time and place within the aforementioned magisterial district. It is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 314(B) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
In Count III, the defendants are further alleged to have stolen the sum of N3,960,000.00, described as the property of Ifeanyi Odilu Blessing.
The prosecution contends that the alleged stealing is contrary to Section 286 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
During arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all three counts. The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, asked the court for a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted her bail with two sureties. The sureties are to show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned for mention, while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Legal observers note that a charge sheet contains allegations only. Under Nigerian law, every person accused of an offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The complainant in the matter is Ifeanyi Odilu Blessing. According to the charge, the payment was made for business purposes related to the supply of chin-chin products.
Members of the public have been advised to exercise caution and conduct proper due diligence in business transactions to avoid disputes that may lead to legal action.